How much will Arsenal have to pay for AC Milan star?

Tom Weber

• Updated: 4 Apr 2023 13:53 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal would have to pay 'crazy money' for AC Milan star Theo Hernandez, claims transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

Reports in Italy have linked the Premier League leaders with the Rossoneri left-back, who has also been a Manchester United target in recent times.

Hernandez made negative headlines during the international break by repeatedly getting outplayed by Ireland's Chiedozie Ogbene of Rotherham United fame. Despite this little slump, Hernandez has been a crucial cog in AC Milan's side under Stefano Pioli.

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This season, he has chipped in with three goals and five assists across all competitions, while last term, when Milan claimed the Serie A title, the Frenchman racked up an impressive five goals and 10 assists, six of which came in the league.

Indeed, such is his importance to the Italian outfit that Arsenal - or any club for that matter - would have to part with an enormous fee to tempt Milan to sell.

What did Romano say?

In a CaughtOffside column, the Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano made it clear that Milan would only consider a 'crazy' offer.

"Theo Hernandez is almost untouchable at this stage," Romano remarked, "Milan would not even consider €50 million or €60m bids for him." Hernandez, says the Italian, is a"crucial player who could only leave for crazy money."

With Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney already at the club, and with Nuno Tavares returning from a solid loan spell at Marseille in the summer, one would think that Arsenal will be wary of spending beyond their means on a left-back.

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However, the latter was recently kicked out of training by Marseille coach Igor Tudor due to a lack of effort, which has led to suggestions that Tavares' career with the Gunners could be over. Nevertheless, he was back in the team last weekend, and his impressive six goals from left-back for Marseille this season mean that he could potentially still be of value to Arsenal next term.

As Romano says: “No decision has been made on Nuno Tavares yet, it will be discussed in May/June with his agents."